Cowboys expected to sign veteran LB in wake of Leighton Vander Esch injury

With the news of Leighton Vander Esch heading to IR with his neck injury, the Dallas Cowboys are planning to sign veteran linebacker Rashaan Evans.

The roster move is pending a physical.

Dallas also brought in Tanner Vallejo, Jordan Evans, and Brandon Smith for a workout.

This news was first reported by ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler.

He was taken No. 22 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Titans.

Evans was the Falcons leading tackler a season ago.

Cowboys are expected to sign LB Rashaan Evans following today’s workout, a person with knowledge of the situation said. Roster move is pending a physical.

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) October 11, 2023

in 2022, he appeared in all 17 games for Atlanta and recorded 159 total tackles. Two sacks, one forced fumble and four pass defenses.

Evans did spend five days with the Eagles this offseason, but was cut as they did not need him.

The linebacker spot even with LVE in the lineup has been a struggle after the first five weeks of the season.

That was the weakest part of their defense to begin with.

The team is clearly trying to at least have some type of help there until Vander Esch can return from IR.

The team let Anthony Barr go at the end of the 2022 season, he wasn’t very productive.

I really like this move.

Titans trade up and select LB Rashaan Evans with the No. 22 pick https://t.co/dcG9hcQ3u5

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 27, 2018

The next longest-tenured player the Cowboys have at that spot is Malik Jefferson.

They let Jabril Cox go. A hybrid type player, who I thought could have been some help with that group.

Maybe others disagree with me, but Damone Clark just doesn’t seem ready yet.

With this move I wouldn’t be surprised if Micah Parsons now starts to play some more linebacker.

The Cowboys have more depth on the defensive line with Dante Fowler and others that can come in and help out.

They won’t be nearly as productive, but I would rather not have teams gash the middle of the field. That is exactly what will happen.

The Cowboys are always pretty quick to handle this stuff. If they really like someone they don’t let them leave the Star.

Evans should be ready to step in a help both now and when LVE returns from injury.

The Cowboys are working out four linebackers today Tanner Vallejo, Jordan Evans, Brandon Smith and Rashaan Evans.

Others are pointed out the Evans visit because he is the biggest name. This is the complete list of linebackers being looked at to help make up for the loss of…

— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) October 11, 2023

They tend to get those deals done sooner rather than later when they really like a player.

The Cowboys have really started to get hit by the injury bug.

A lot of folks are starting to freak out after they got embarrassed by the 49ers on Sunday night.

They can make everyone forget about that if they go into SoFi stadium Monday night and beat the Chargers and former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.

The schedule is not getting any easier for this team, and if they want to rewrite the script they need to show up every week.

You would have thought the season was over with the way everyone is talking this week.

It’s only week five, and yes the game was as bad as it could be, but they will still be a playoff team.

After signing Evans, I would still sign Smith to play on the defensive line or special teams with C.J Goodwin out. Let Parsons and Evans room as linebackers.